On any given FC Goa matchday before the roar of the Fatorda crowd reaches its peak, there’s already a ripple of excitement on the coastal belt of Goa’s Calangute. Neighbours peek out of their balconies and even villagers from nearby areas come by for a glimpse. All of them are waiting to see one man, Damiao Fernandes, step out in yet another one of his unforgettable costumes.

For Fernandes, football has never been just a sport. It’s a lifestyle that has seeped into every corner of his life. His home is a shrine to FC Goa. The curtains carry the club’s colours and one entire room has props, banners and replicas including a handcrafted ISL Cup.

“When a team from Goa became part of the ISL, I was very happy. Back then, ISL was new and I told my friends there’s a new league and we should be ready. I started dressing up, people liked it and that enthusiasm made me support the team even more. We Goans love football and it’s in our blood,” Fernandes says.

Bringing colour to the stands

What makes Fernandes truly stand out isn’t just the decor of his home, it’s the vibe he brings to every FC Goa game. For every club game, he plans a different costume often days in advance. His wife, a tailor by profession and his son, an artist, become his creative partners, bringing together designs that have become the stuff of legend among Goan football fans.

“One week before a matchday, I start deciding on the costume. Then it takes about four days to prepare it,” he reveals.

Love for football in Goa has always been strong but Fernandes’ passion has sparked something new in Calangute. Screenings of FC Goa games are now a regular occurrence with villagers gathering around projectors and cheering as though they were in the stadium. You will spot kids and adults proudly wearing FC Goa colours.

“The love Calangute has for FC Goa is a lot. On matchdays half of Calangute goes to the stadium,” Fernandes says proudly.

Running a bike rental business in his village keeps him busy but once the season begins, everything else takes a backseat. The long two-hour journey to the Fatorda Stadium is a trip he doesn’t think twice about making. Win or lose, Fernandes is there while often staying back late into the night to celebrate victories with fellow members of the FC Goa fan club before making the ride back home.

“Travel is a challenge. I leave at least two hours before a game and by the time I’m back home it’s around midnight. If FC Goa win, celebrations go on till 1.30 am,” he adds.

Through thick and thin

Fernandes’ journey with FC Goa began right from the inaugural ISL season and he hasn’t missed a beat since. Ask him his favourite memory at the Fatorda and his eyes light up at the mention of FC Goa’s 7-0 thumping of Mumbai City FC in 2015. Dudu Omagbemi and Semboi Haokip both scored hat-tricks that night and Fernandes says he can still hear the echoes of those celebrations.

“It was an unforgettable night. We (FC Goa fans) shook the entire stadium that evening”

His love isn’t confined to home games. Fernandes has travelled across India to support his team with Kochi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium ranking as his favourite away destination. But one moment stands out from the rest. During the 2018-19 season, Fernandes won the FC Goa Superfan contest. He got a chance to travel with the team to Kolkata for their away clash against ATK FC. For a supporter who had been supporting the team from the start, it was the ultimate reward. He shared meals with players and coaching staff and even found himself seated next to FC Goa great Ferran Corominas on the flight. When Fernandes mentioned his bike rental business, Corominas jokingly asked him for a ride on his Harley someday.

“When I travelled with the team and dressed up there too, the players loved it. Coro, Edu Bedia and others even picked me up in delight while we were at breakfast,” he smiles.

Over the years, more players have taken notice too. Within Goan football circles, his name is well known and Fernandes is not only recognised by fellow fans but also FC Goa players who know the face behind those unique costumes.

The Gaurs’ ISL cup journey has been one of near misses. Two finals and six semi finals but never ISL Cup champions. That disappointment has dulled the passion for some Goans but not Fernandes for whom loyalty runs deeper than silverware.

“There are ups and downs in sport, same with football. Winning and losing is part of the game,” he often tells people.

“But I like it when we fans go to support the team. In the stadium, the fans and the team come together as one.”

It’s this unwavering spirit that makes Fernandes more than just a fan in costume. He’s a reminder of what football means to Goa and as long as FC Goa take the pitch, you can be certain that somewhere in Calangute, he is already getting his next costume ready.